Atlanta Hawks vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction for 1/2
The Atlanta Hawks and the New York Knicks are set to begin their NBA regular season games at Madison Square Garden. The game will take place on Friday, January 2, 2026, at 7:30 PM. Fans can watch the game live on FDSS.
The Hawks, with a 16-19 record, are looking to build on their recent win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Head Coach Quin Snyder will rely on key players like Trae Young and Jalen Johnson. The Knicks, led by Head Coach Mike Brown, hold a 23-10 record and are eager to bounce back after a close loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will be important for the Knicks in this game.
Hawks vs Knicks Game Day Info
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: Atlanta Hawks vs. New York Knicks
- Venue: Madison Square Garden
- Date: Friday, January 2, 2026
- Betting Odds: Knicks -7.5 (-110), Hawks +7.5 (-111), Knicks MoneyLine -295, Hawks MoneyLine +240, Over/Under 245.5 (-110)
Atlanta Hawks Team Preview
The Atlanta Hawks are entering their next game with a mix of results from their recent outings. In their last game, they secured a strong win against the Minnesota Timberwolves, winning 126-102. Jalen Johnson was a standout performer, scoring 34 points and grabbing 10 rebounds.
The Hawks have been putting up solid offensive numbers this season. They rank ninth in points per game with 119.3 and have the highest assists per game at 31.3. However, their defense has room for improvement, as they allow 120.1 points per game, placing them 24th in the league.
Key players for the Hawks include Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. Johnson is averaging 24 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while Okongwu contributes 16.4 points and 7.8 rebounds. Trae Young is dealing with a quad injury and is questionable for the next game against the New York Knicks.
New York Knicks Team Preview
The New York Knicks have shown strong performance in recent games. They scored 132 points against the San Antonio Spurs, but narrowly lost by 2 points. Jalen Brunson led the team with 29 points and 8 assists in that game.
Throughout the season, the Knicks have averaged 121.2 points per game, ranking third in the league. They are also third in three-pointers made per game at 15.5. Their field goal percentage stands at 47.8%, which is ninth in the league.
Jalen Brunson has been a key player for the Knicks, averaging 29.4 points per game. Karl-Anthony Towns contributes with 21.9 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. The team will be without Josh Hart and Landry Shamet due to injuries, while Mitchell Robinson remains questionable.
BTB Betting Pick
The Knicks are favored by 7.5 points against the Hawks. The Knicks score 121.2 points per game and allow 114.6 points. The Hawks score 119.3 points per game and allow 120.1 points. Based on these stats, the Knicks are likely to cover the spread. A projected score of Knicks 123, Hawks 116 suggests taking the Knicks -7.5.
The total for the game is set at 245.5 points. The combined average points per game for both teams is 240.5. The Knicks’ defense ranks 12th in points allowed, which might keep the score lower. Considering these factors, the under 245.5 is a reasonable pick.